EXHIBIT 23.3
          
           
             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the 
incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 
33-62739) of United Stationers Inc. and in the related Prospectus of our 
report dated October 6, 1994 on the consolidated financial statements and 
schedule of United Stationers Inc. for the year ended August 31, 1994, and to 
all references to our Firm included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of 
United Stationers Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1996.

                                   /S/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 25, 1997